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Precise, detailed PSB sound in a portable design

Long revered for their musical honesty and superior value, PSB speakers have been a favorite of audiophiles and industry insiders for over 40 years. Now PSB has created headphones that pack the same sonic realism and precision as their speakers into a portable package you can take with you anywhere. The PSB M4U 2 with active noise-canceling technology reproduces your music with exquisite detail and clarity, while isolating you from noisy environments. You can enjoy your own private concert in peace, without distractions from the outside world.

"It's hard to describe the M4U 2's sound because it's so close to flawless and so free of an identifiable character. The bass sounds extremely smooth and tight, the mids are exceptionally clear, and the highs are rich and detailed. Not only does the M4U 2 sound like a really great speaker, it sounds like a great speaker in a great listening room."

Switch between your calls and music with ease

The M4U 2's in-line remote and microphone make it easy to answer and end calls, and pause, play, or skip through the songs on your iPod®, iPhone®, or iPad®. PSB includes two detachable headphone cords that feature a handy push-to-hear control that lets you mute the audio and amplify outside sounds to carry on a conversation with those around you without removing your headphones. For travel, the supplied airline adapter lets you easily plug into the in-flight entertainment.

Enjoy peace and quiet while you travel. (Black model shown)

Power and comfort

You can select from three different operating modes to fit different listening situations. Passive mode allows you to enjoy your tunes without battery power — ideal for those times when you're playing music through high-quality home audio gear or a headphone amp. Switch to active mode, and the headphone's built-in amplifier kicks in to provide an added boost that turbocharges the sound coming from your portable player. Or, engage the active noise cancellation circuitry when you just want to tune out the world and relax to your music uninterrupted.

Along with delivering fantastic sound, a truly great headphone has to be comfortable. The M4U 2's soft padded earcups feature a two-way adjustable pivoting design for a secure, custom fit and hours of listening enjoyment. Dual input connections let you conveniently plug the cable in on either the left or right earcup. The folding design and included storage case make them easy to take along.

"These are my favorite noise-canceling headphones I've experienced to date. They're open, bass-forward without being unfocused or obnoxious, well-extended and overall, extremely pleasant to listen to. Plus, they are comfortable, mobile phone friendly and easy to manage while sitting in a coach seat."

Product Research

Features

Overview: The PSB M4U 2 headphones are part of the Music for You (M4U)
series of high performance headphones. The M4U 2 has Active Noise Cancellation,
powered by two "AAA" batteries (supplied), which
eliminates external noise. The
headphones come with two 5' cables (one with an in-line remote/microphone and
one without), airline and 1/4" adapters, an extra set of earpads, and a
semi-hard zippered storage case.

Operation Modes: The M4U 2 headphones feature three modes of
operation, controlled by a 3-way switch on the right earcup: Active Noise
Cancellation (ANC), Active Mode, and Passive Mode. When ANC is activated,
external noise is picked up by the built-in microphones and canceled by
introducing an inverted (out-of-phase) signal. At the same time, the incoming
audio signal is amplified by the built-in amplifier. In Active Mode, the audio
signal is amplified, but there is no Active Noise Cancellation. In Passive Mode,
both active circuits (ANC and amplifier) are shut off, and the music is driven
by the connected device. You can listen in Passive Mode when your batteries are
exhausted.

Room Feel: The M4U 2 has Room Feel technology, which gives the
headphones the same true-to-nature sound as a pair of PSB's in-room
loudspeakers.

Ear Pads: The soft earpads are designed for comfort and fit. The
ergonomic ear pads are gyro-suspended and self-adjusting to give you a precise
fit. The M4U 2 comes with a spare pair of earpads.

Cables: The M4U 2 includes two 5' tangle-free cables, which can plug
into either side. Both cables have an in-line Monitor button (see Monitor
Function below). One cable is designed for use with your smartphone, and
includes an in-line remote and microphone. The remote lets you answer and hang
up your call, and play/pause, skip forward, and skip backward. The controls are
compatible with iPhone and Blackberry. The other cable has no in-line remote/mic.
A dual-input airline adapter and 1/4" stereo adapter are included.

Note: The cables must be plugged in with the straight
end in the headphones and the right-angled end in the playback device.

Monitor Function: Both included cables have an in-line
Monitor button. When pressed and held, the current audio track is attenuated by
30dB, and the surrounding sounds will be amplified through the headphones. The
Monitor Function only works when the headphones are in Active Noise Cancellation
(ANC) mode.

Batteries: The M4U 2 noise-canceling headphones are powered
by two "AAA" batteries (supplied), which are inserted into the left earcup.
Battery life is approximately 55 hours on average when using Active Noise
Cancellation. You can use rechargeable batteries if desired, however, battery
life will be shorter.

Specifications:

Frequency Response (+/- 1.5dB): 20-20,000 Hz

Sensitivity (1kHz/1mW): 102dB

Power Handling: 30mW maximum

Impedance: 32 ohms (passive), 10k ohms (active/ANC)

Driver Size: 40mm

Weight: 12.8 ounces

Our Product Research Team

At Crutchfield, you'll get detailed, accurate information that's hard to
find elsewhere. That's because we have our own in-house Product Research
team. They verify what’s in the box, check the owner's manual, and record
dimensions, features and specs. We stay on top of new products and technologies
to help people make informed choices.

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sublime sound

I spent several weeks researching, listening too and lamenting which headphones to purchase. Tried in the ear, on the ear and over the ear. With DAC and without. By far these offered the most of everything I was looking for for the money invested. Great sound, not to much bass and the clarity that appealed to my ear.

Pros:Comfort, sound, and build quality

Cons:Lacking a little in the styling but the pros caused that to be of minor concern for me.

3 Strikes and "You're Out!"

I am not an audiofile by any means but do appreciate great sound reproduction. I commute to NYC via coach bus and was looking for a good noise cancelling headphone with great sound, not an easy task from what I read. After much research I decided to purchase the PSB M4U 2 headphones due to their superior sound, although less than superior noise reduction. The first pair I was sent had a defective left speaker as the sound kept cutting in and out. The second pair I was sent had an annoying "crackling" from the left speaker which would intermittently appear and disappear. The third pair I was sent had a battery cover that kept falling off. On each of the headphones, sound was unbelievable in a quiet room and I heard things in songs I never knew existed. I was thrilled. On the bus however, the noise cancelling was less than adequate and the sound quality deteriorated to an almost "tinny" sound. I called Crutchfield again and they suggested the Bose QuietComfort 20i Acoustic Noise Cancelling headphones. Just received them and the noise cancelling is unbelievable and the sound is very, very good! Even though the PSB M4U 2 headphones likely have superior sound in a quiet environment, it does me no good on a bus while commuting. I am going to stick with the Bose. Thank you Crutchfield team for all your help and unbelievable customer service!

Pros:Great sound quality in a quiet environment!

Cons:Noise cancelling is less than adequate and when noise cancelling is activated the sound quality deteriorates sharply. Not worth it for the money!

PSB M4U 2

Love the headphones. Wonderful sound quality, joy to listen to. Pretty comfortable, though I agree with other reviews I've seen saying they are less than comfortable with eye glasses on. There is a slight downgrade for me when you flip the ANC on, seems to constrict the sound a bit and takes away some of the atmosphere and the umph on the bass and lower mids. But still sounds good. Other downside is a feedback noise that sometimes occurs during silence when the electronics are activated. Neither of those points ruins the experience for me.

PSB4U2 headphones

Written By Jeff, San Francisco on Sunday, January 18, 2015

"Coolness Factor"

Build Quality

Comfort

Noise Reduction

Sound Quality

I love these headphones the sound quality is outstanding and they can handle as much power for home listening with hi power amp and for small listening devices it has a built in amp and with that it sounds amazing great headphones!

Pros:Very versatile and has three modes great build very comfortable and they are good looking also they require batteries and if they get low they still play in the 1st mode

Like em'

I like em'....after letting them break in you can see what the fuss is about. The noise canceling could be better but its not bad. Overall good sound quality and decent comfort. For the price its a keeper.

Far Better than Bose

After living with the comparatively flimsy Bose noise canceling headphones over the years and the "feature" that they die when the batteries die, the PSBs are literally a breath of fresh air. I've owned one pair for three years and have purchased a second for my wife.

great sounds but super uncomfatable

got this on for two hours and omg! these thing hurts ,thye hurt my ears like crazy and till after the next day ,stay away! get sony MDR 1RNC instead ,same sounds quility ,better NC and build quality ,and very stylish and super super comfortable

PSBM4u 2

I love the way these headphones sound, but unfortunately I bought it for use at my noisy gym because of the ANC, and they are just way too big and heavy for that. Best for the long plane trip. The active noise cancellation is decent but as not as good as the Bose QC 15's but the better audio more than compensates for that.

Absolutely the Best!

The baddest headphones on the planet! I owned 2 pairs of Bose QC-15's and thought that there were no other headphones that could be better. Although I love Bose's sound quality and noise reduction capabilities, the ear cushions became worn and ripped after about 1 year of normal. Needless to say, I expected more from such a well known company. I talked with a Crutchfield Adviser and asked for recommendations which were the PSB's. I am too impressed with these headphones!! Superb fit and comfort, noise reduction, and most of all, the dynamite sound. Love the 3 operation settings and I use the amplified setting for the best music reproduction. These bad boys simply blows Bose away in every phase, hands down. A little more expensive but well worth the money.

Way better than bose

In my search for headphones everywhere I looked seemed to lead me back to these. I thought why not? Can't lose with a 60 day return policy. As soon I put them on they quickly grew on me. The sound quality is amazing. The think that stood out the most is sound separation. You can actually hear every distinct sound, as if there was a separate speaker for each instrument. Plus the built in amplifier really kicks things up a notch, turn it on and everything comes alive. Music off of my phone is almost CD quality. Comfort is also a plus, some people say that they are a bit snug but I find them to fit perfectly. I use them to work out and they manage to stay in place. I don't use the noise cancelling much but when I have them on, I can't hear anything but the music. If you are even considering these, don't hesitate you have nothing to lose.

Pros:sound quality, comfort, leagues above bose.

Cons:Bass can be a bit punchy at times, but I think that has to do more with the recording.

Uncomfortable with a surprising issue

These headphones sound incredibly good. As close to perfection as I've ever heard. The noise cancellation works very well. But the things just squeeze me head a little too much. My ears aren't particularly large, nor do they protrude too far from my head, but the ear pads pressed against the lower back cartilage in my ears such that I couldn't make it through a 2 hour flight (and my ears ached for about an hour afterward). In addition, the cable connecting from the headphones to my phone or laptop was kind of fidgety: the wrong angle would make the left ear go dead. For the price, I'd expect a functioning wire. Returning them and getting the Bose QC15's, in the hopes that my ears won't ache after using them.

Great Set of HiFI Headphones

Overall a well made product. Have worn this both in a quiet environment and on a plane. Plane mode blocks approx. 90% of the background noise. At home audio plays very well, such that you can really hear the fine tuned notes of an acoustic guitar. I do wish however when it comes to low frequency bass notes, that you can accurately hear the thump of the bass, which I feel this is lacking. I know this is not a Dr. Dre set, however I think this area can be improved upon. Personal preference.

Pros:Great overall set of Audiophile headphones

Cons:Lacks Bass where I want it.
Extended wear can cause some ear discomfort if not properly placed around your ear lobes. The pressure can be a bit irritating, if not worn right. Make sure you adjust accordingly.

Phenomenal Sound

These sound phenomenal. Break them in for a little bit and you'll be blown away. Build quality is good however they are on the heavier side. Padding is great, but for prolonged use I definitely felt some neck fatigue. They're also rather large & bulky, and you won't make any fashion statements with them. Noise isolation is EXCELLENT! Put them on and you can barely hear anything on the outside. Sound doesn't leak out either from the ear cups, even with music at full blast. Noise cancelation however is rather mediocre. It does reduce slightly the sound of an a/c going but nothing like Bose n/c headphones. If noise canceling is your top priority, don't get these and just get the Bose. But if you want uncompromised audiophile like quality sound with some noise canceling capabilities, and you don't mind the weight or size, then the PSB M4U 2's are for you.

Sounds good

This is the first headphone set I've had in many years. It was purchased mainly for home use for both music and general listening via computer. Both the build quality and sound quality are very good. I appreciate excellent sound quality but I don't get hung up about it either. Anyway, there are no complaints about how music sounds with these headphones. They haven't been worn continuously for more than an hour. For that duration they are comfortable but seem a little heavy, although I have no reference for comparison. Since they are the noise-cancelling version they require that 2 AAA batteries get installed in the set so that adds to the weight. Calling this set noise-cancelling implies the headphones will virtually eliminate noise from one's surroundings. They will reduce noise but not eliminate it. How they function for air travel remains to be seen. The set is a little bulky which is fine for home use but could be annoying for travel. Out of the box, one of the cables was defective. There was no hesitation from Crutchfield about a replacement.

Extremely capable headphones

I got these headphones after a long time research...had sennheiser MM550 for a couple of years, got Harmon Kardon noise cancelling for few weeks and finally got psb m4u 2. MM550 sound quality was ok with low high volume level, HK NC were very heavy and hard to wear during long trips but these PSBs...just WOW! The sound quality is the best I've heard in headphones, the highs/lows, very balanced treble/base and sound clarity is amazing. I'm hearing sounds in the songs/music that I never heard before. I just returned today from ~11-13hrs each way Asia biz trip and thoroughly tested its NC feature on plane/road etc. It's not perfect but it does its job...it's definitely better than sennheiser. The cups hurt my ears after 3-4 hrs but I guess it due to my ear shape. I love the way it folds too. Overall, best $400 I've ever spent :) !

PSBM4U2 Review

Excellent headphone with typicalk PSB quality of build and sound. This is a very natural sounding headphone, so if you are looking for accented bass, this product is not for you. Very similar in sound and performance to Sennheiser PXC 45o which is also excellent.

Pros:Natural sound and high build quality. Comfortable for large headphone.

Cons:No user manual included, but one can be down loaded from their internet site.

Great Headphones

These headphones sound really great and the noise cancellation works well. I've listened to them pretty loud and they show no signs of strain or distortion like some cheaper headphones I have owned. I haven't listened to them yet for more than an hour, but I've found them to be extremely comfortable and with a lot of built-in adjustability. I also really like the active mode which sounds better to me than passive mode, although that may be due somewhat to the volume boost that is applied. Overall, I'm very happy with my purchase.

Cons:If you are looking for booming bass, these probably aren't for you. Also, there is no automatic shutoff for active and noise cancellation modes, so you can burn through batteries quickly if you aren't careful.

PSB M4U2

By far the absolute best sounding set o phones I have ever heard. Feature set really a deal setter. Love the sound quality of these phones. I have owned Bose QC 15 no match in my opinion. If they had a volume control to go along they would be a 6 star for me as I have all apple products, IPhone 5, IPad 3/mini etc. Once again love these Headphones they are a pleasure to listen too.

Pros:Xcellent sound quality/build/comfort/

Cons:None except wish they had a volume control / track change/ would never have to remove the music source from the bag/pocket.

PSB m4u2 headphones

This is a great pair of headphones and the sound quality is excellent, especially in the active mode. I have a pair of Bose QC 3's that I will continue to use for travel since they are more compact but for around the house these are superior!

Pros:Sound quality, control cords, left & right hookups, construction

Cons:Comfort, after long periods of listening my ears are uncomfortable.

Pleased with this product....

For starts, great service by Crutchfield. Have had more than one deal and have always been treated well. Service has been very fast, issues and questions addressed immediately. I highlly recommend this dealer.

I've had several of the name brand headphones in this price range. Sound quality on the others has always been good but eventually i became dissatisfied with the fit, the lack of durability, or with one end or the other of the sound spectrum. As a result, my daughters have come in too some very nice headphones very early in their lives... in any case, they will not get my PSB M4U 2s. I'm not much on coolness but they communicate quality. Solid, comfortable, tight fit and more importantly, a sound quality that i like very, very much. Well worth the money and, given the price point, a two year warranty is welcomed and communicates the manufacture's commitment to the product. the N/C is not as solid as the Bose but it's workable. A bit of a trade off but again, i am pleased enough with the sound quality that the n/c capability is a small trade off. I am happy with the product and service and certainly believe they are worth the price.

Wow

Just got these...not even burned in at all, they absolutely destroy my denon nc800s (which I really liked) and AT 7b (which I never really liked). With no power or just the amp, you can't tell these are noise cancellers. Have read complaints about a lack of low end, but I think it is fine. Very clear, mids not crushed by the low end nor are they excessively bright.

M4U 2

Heavy and tight on the head. Not as comfortable as other headphones I've used. Great sound quality, and built-in headphone amp is nice, but I'm still not sure they are worth the extra weight and money compared to the $40 Scosch in-ear buds that I love.

Great (ANC) headphones, but with some drawbacks

These are sleeper headphones, in that they don't seem to get a lot of press and have fairly limited distribution, yet have outstanding performance in many ways. If you can live with the ergonomics, they provide outstanding sound quality, decent comfort, and a lot of versatility. They work well as noise-cancelling, travel headphones. Not as good as the QC15's because the Bose headphones are smaller, lighter, pack more compactly and have superior/more-aggressive noise-cancellation, but the M4U's have better SQ overall, and far, far superior SQ in Passive but especially Active mode. That's the great thing about these headphones: In Active mode, they sound awesome, and if you are looking for a headphone that works well with a low-power device like an iPhone or other iDevice, and don't want the hassle of a separate headphone amp, these are incredible. It's as if you are going from 2D (Passive) to 3D (Active). So these have great versatility, and if I had to live with only pair of headphones, it would probably be these. The downside is that they are bulky (even when packed) and heavy, and the "Beats" styling is only so-so. One could imagine that if PSB had the electronics/design muscle of, say, Sony, these would be a lot lighter. Also, you do not get a 3-button remote, but only a 1-button mic that does work with iDevices, but having a volume control would be nice. In all, probably as versatile as it gets with headphones, but here are some compromises.

Cons:Bulky and heavy, somewhat polarizing styling. Electronics could be better shielded as you can get static in Active mode depending on what is nearby. Build quality had issues early on, and the cables could be more supple.

Just OK - Costs too much for just OK

The sound was OK. The sound stage is fairly transparent and airy but the bass is almost nonexistent. The noise reduction does two things badly: It reduces the nonexistent bass to well less than that while at the same time reducing the amplification of the mids and highs that are left. Additionally, my pair made an almost imperceptible high pitch whine and that got annoying fast.

Seriously look out if you are wearing these and switch between regular and noise cancelling they make a very loud "pop" when doing so.

Yes they are built nicely and yes they are comfortable but for the $$ I want them to make great sound too.

Don't bother with these, get the Parrot Zik and get ready for a way better experience in every way.

Pros:The spectrum of sound created by these may be pretty narrow but what there is sounds darn good and is not at all tiresome to the ear. They are very solidly built and quite comfortable.

Cons:The price is too much for just OK sound and crummy noise cancelling. The Ziks are a much better unit all together.

PSB M4U 2 Headphones

I give these a 4.8 because the noise cancel setting EQ's the sound to a markedly different response than the active and passive settings. The active setting sounds great when plugged into my portable music player (OK, my iPod) and personal opinion I'd say the passive sound is slightly above average. I have a decent set of headphones that sound much better in active setting; not different, just MORE of everything. I have not used them on the plane or helicopter yet, that comes next.

Pros:Fit, passive and active response and music reproduction.

Cons:Noise canceling reproduction, although I may rethink this after I fiddle with the music/sound source's EQ settings.

excellent sound quality

these headphones sound like my speakers. very clear and precise. the only drawback is the fit for me is very tight which cause some discomfort after extenede listening. if a solution could be found, i would give 5 stars in every category

Fanatastic Headphones

I had purchased a set of Bose Noise Cancelling headphones for my wife as she travels a lot for work. She adores them, the noise cancelling on them is superb, they are compact and have a nice smallish case for travel. I was going to purchase a set for my self as the office I work in is moving to an open plan and I often am distracted by others. I do a lot of architectural design work and need to concentrate and focus, hence the desire for noise cancelling headphones. I saw that PSB had made their first set, and the fact that these were designed and engineered in canada from a trusted speaker company was definitely a sellling point for me. These are super comfortable, well built, beautifully designed and have superior sound quality over the Bose headphones. The only advantages the Bose headsets have over these is that they have slightly better sound cancelling and are less bulky for travel. the only downside is that if I do use these headphones plugged into a computer the distortion from the hard drive and other interferance is noticeable, once i switched to a ipod or ipad it was gone.

PSB M4U 2

Overall the PSB M4U 2's are excellent headphones. Sound is clear with a nice spaciousness. They are however a little bulky compared to my previous Bose Quiet Comfort 15's and heavier which makes them slightly less comfortable.

Great sound, very happy

I love these. I had a pair of Bose QC 15s and was always disappointed with the sound quality. The music was muffled. The fact they were noise canceling all the time made them less convenient at work sometimes too.

The PSBs sound awesome, even when turned off. The amplifier setting really makes music come alive, especially when used with streaming sources such as Spotify and Pandora. The noise canceling is good, but not as incredible as Bose. I would say it is 90% as good. But it still accomplishes what I want. The mute to listen function actually amplifies people speaking around you so if you hear a conversation going on that you are interested in, but taking your headphones off is too obvious, the button works well.

Pros:Incredible sound. That alone is worth the price. The three functions (normal, amp, NC) work great and really make the headphones more livable.

Cons:A little bulky. I wish they folded flat like the Bose. This makes the case a little hard.
The mute to listen button is very hard to push. It almost hurts to hold it in. Minor annoyance but surprising giving the overall build quality.

Worth it

Written By JosesRoo, Nashville, TN on Friday, December 28, 2012

"Coolness Factor"

Build Quality

Comfort

Noise Reduction

Sound Quality

The sound quality is outstanding. The noise canceling is right on par with the Bose Quiet 15s, but the bass sound/feel is MUCH better. My Bose seemed to struggle in that department, but the PSBs have no issues with bass. These headphones look great, but I'm not a fan of plastic. It keeps them light though, and therefore comfortable. If these came in carbon fiber, I would never buy another pair of headphones. The mute feature, along with the ability to still listen to music with no batteries, puts these headphone light years ahead of the Bose Q15s. If you love music, buy these.

Pros:Three operational modes. Mute button is awesome. Bass is will rock your face while the highs are still very clear. Good looking headphones.

Don't Believe The Hype

I held on to my PSB M4U 2 headphones for a few weeks. During that time I had the opportunity to travel with these headphones. I found the noise cancelation to be virtually nonexistent. I admit the sound quality is pretty good, but so is the sound of my $199.00 Sony's. I'm returning the PSB M4U 2's and opting for the Bose QC 15's with also good sound but with actual noise cancelation .

The PSB M4U's just are not worth the price tag and should not be advertised as a noise cancelation headphone.

So far so good...

Written By yelacnamtro, Newton, KS on Tuesday, December 18, 2012

"Coolness Factor"

Build Quality

Comfort

Noise Reduction

Sound Quality

Tired of my plastic Bose Quiet Comfort headphones snapping every year or so I was on a search for something sturdier with good noise reduction. I took the plunge into the world of expensive headphones with high expectations. My first impressions were that they were bigger and boxier than I thought they were going to be. There is nothing subtle about wearing these in public, they do stand out. That said they are sturdy, not just plastic and I feel fine throwing them in my backpack to go places. They clamp pretty tight on the ears for those used to the light feel of Bose, otherwise the cups are comfortable. I was a bit disappointed with the low end when listening to hip-hop, but audiophiles complain of the "boomy bass" with Beats and other "trendy" headphones, so I suppose these can be seen as better balanced. Overall fantastic sound. I LOVE that you can listen to these with or without the noise reduction, never getting stranded without music just because you run out of battery. As far as noise reduction, these are the best I've heard. It would almost be dangerous to go out walking in public with these because you can't hear a thing with them on. Beware of a loud pop in the headphones when pulling the jack in our out of your device with the noise reduction on. Overall very pleased so far. The 2 year warranty gives me peace of mind because at this price, these better last me a while...

Amazing sound!

I bought these not for the NC ability, but for the sound quality and built in Active mode. I have been listening to different phones for a while, not spending much time with closed over ear models as they always seem to fatigue my ears/head. I've used in ear monitors from Etymotic & Shure and over ear from Sennheiser and Grado. The sound from the M4U2 is amazingly clear, precise, and full range. Response is very even. The bass is not overpowering, but yet, I can 'feel' it in my whole body when listening. I have had these for several days now, listening for several hours at a time, and there is no fatigue to be had. I have heard things in my music that I have never heard before. They are good in passive mode, but even better in active mode with the added DB boost. I have used them in NC mode, and the quality of sound drops slightly, but for some recordings, it actually helps. The build quality is excellent. The ability to cable from either side is a great idea.

I am finding myself going through my entire library with a new passion to re-hear the music beautifully.

I've owned many a pair of headphones (too many to admit) but never have I had a pair that I just don't want to take off.

If you are looking for NC headphones, one thing to remember here (most will say Bose QC15 are the best at NC) if you run out of batteries with these, they will still sound wonderful in passive mode. Power is not required. So, really, you are getting the best of both worlds.

PSB Headphones better than Bose

I've been a long time user of the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones, but recently opted for the new PSB Noise Cancelling Headphones. The sound is far superior and they produce more volume and remain clear at the higher volume. Very comfortable with replacement ear pads included.

Outstanding headphones

In opening the box, my first impression was that these are well built, heavy headphones. These are not flimsy and delicate. Then plugging it into my I Phone and hitting play, I was blown away by the sound. At first I had them set on the passive mode and was very impressed with the sound reproduction. Then I turned on the amp and was blown away again. There was a world of difference between them. Then I put it on the noise canceling setting and the rest of the world disappeared. These are outstanding headphones. I have found that due to the coverage of the ear cups, I don't need the noise canceling much. I use that setting only when in a very loud environment.

Pros:These things sound great.

Cons:They are a bit heavy but not so much that it is a bother. Also, there is no in-line volume control. That would be nice.

Bose were good but PSB's really impress me

The built-in amp really brings the music from my Iphone to life. The bass is powerful and accurate and the highs are crystal clear. I can't imagine much better sound from a personal digital source for any price. The talk through feature is very handy. I like not having to take the headphones off to talk to somebody. I have also answered a phone call without taking the headphones off or pausing my workout. There are probably better noise cancelling systems out there, but the headphones work best with just the amp on anyway. Since they are a closed system, you only need the noise cancelling in quite noisey environments. I consider myself a true audiophile and these headphones impress me and everyone else that I have shared their listening experience with. Perfect for workouts on treadmill, eliptical, etc. I first tried a set of Bose Quiet Comfort 15's which did not quite do the job as far as bass response or high frequency response. The midrange from the bose was impressive as always, but no better than the PSB's. The noise cancelling was better on the Bose, but I believe noise cancelling takes away from frequency response and you can't listen to the Bose without it on or with a dead battery. The PSB's allow you to listen with just the amp on or without a battery in the passive mode. Best extra $100 I've ever spent. The PSB's truely exceeded my expectations.

Pros:Real bass from a personal source with crystal clear highs and accurate midrange. Talk through feature allowing you to talk without removing the headphones. 55 hour battery life and ability to still listen when your batteries go dead. Ability to listen with noise cancelling off, but amp on for best sound quality and frequency response. Surprisingly lightweight for having a built-in amp. Very comfortable.

Cons:There may be better noise cancelling systems, but these sound best with just the amp on and noise cancelling off anyway. $100 more than Bose but very worth it.

Surround Sound Headphones

For the price, these are the most outstanding sounding headphones I've ever owned. It's as if I was sitting in a recording studio. The sound quality is not at all muffled by the noise cancelling technology. These headphones begin to feel weighty after one hour of use. I hope that later models will have bluetooth capability. I like it that the cable can be attached to either side of the headphones. I have great respect for the designer, Paul S Barton and also thank Crutchfield for guiding me toward purchasing this product.

Pros:Outstanding sound quality.

Cons:A little bulky for travel. These headphones begin to feel weighty after one hour of use. I wish these headphones had bluetooth capability.

Best sounding uncomfortable headphones ever!

I love these headphones. The sound qualitty is awesome. I'm listening to 24-bit Flac with them and I've never heard something so good. I love that the cable can go on either side. I love the fact they give you extra earpads. Not unusual but still nice to be able to turn the noise cancelling on and off. I find the headphones extremely uncomfortable. I wish they had made the ear pads the size and feel of the Sennheiser PCX450's. Literally after an hour I have to take the headphones off because they hurt my ears. I guess I just have big ears :)

In a class of their own...

Written By Darrin, Portland OR on Sunday, September 30, 2012

I am a picky audiophile. I have high end tube amps and Magico and Magnepan speakers at home, and still listen to music through a turntable. Over the past 2-3 years I have auditioned about 30 high end headphones. For home use I own the Beyerdynamic T1 with matching A1 amp, as well as the Sennheiser HD650 cans, and for travel have been using the Etymotic er-4pt in-ear phones. I value transparency, neutrality and musicality.

Whether in audio stores, airport stores, etc, I never heard a noise isolating headphone that competed with high end cans. Until now. The PSB is the only one that sounds as good. With built in amplification, it allows the headphones to perform no matter what source I am using. PSB didn't sacrifice audio quality (or add too many options for ANC) -- they kept amplified and unamplified simple and effective, and the active noise cancelling works like a charm without negatively impacting sound quality.

Only downside, is these are much bigger and heavier than my Etymotics. But...the full range sound (without hyped up coloring or mid-bass exaggeration) and noise cancelling is superior to the Etymotics. Etymotics are still the champ for clarity, but lack the dynamics and accurate bass weight of the PSBs.

Good, Not Great

I'll be honest, I was expecting more from these headphones. I know there have been many rave reviews by audiophiles and consumers alike but for me these headphones just didn't wow me like I thought they would.

For one, the headphones are comfortable but my ears get hot quickly and cannot wear them for more than an hour before having to remove them.

Secondly, the sound is good but not impressive. I get just as good sound quality and noise isolation from my set of in-ear Klipsch Image S4i headphones without heating up my ears.

The noise cancellation works but has room for improvement. When I sit in front of my tower computer with 3 fans I can still hear the fans but are about 75% quieter.

Like a portable PSB system

When you spend most of your waking life not at home, it's often hard to get your "fix" for great sounding audio. I couldn't be much happy with the performance of these headphones. They've been great for both home use and travel. I wouldn't trade my PSB's for any other option out there, regardless of price. Thanks PSB for (finally) coming up with a way for us to take you out of the house with us!

Pros:Incredible, balanced and detailed sound reproduction. Quite comfy for long periods. Ability to plug into either ear cup. Sounds great with laptop/Apple devices. Did I mention that they sound awesome?!?

Cons:The noise-cancelling isn't quite as solid as that in the Bose products (still very good), but definitely not the main reason I purchased them.